Strange Encounters: The Red Water Series, #1

By GARGI DATAR

Strange Encounters is the first book in the Suspense - Horror, Red Water Novella Series written by Gargi Datar.

It's set in a quiet little town of Red Water, where a bunch of close friends are experiencing growing up, juggling high school and crushes amidst facing strange encounters with what some fear could be from the other side.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gargi Datar
• Release date: Dec 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201202125

Book preview

Introduction

My warm regards to you for choosing to read this book which is the first from my series about a fictional town called Red Water. I loved crafting the story and creating all the characters. Happy Reading!

Chapter 1 - A Glimpse into Luke’s World

It was a stormy evening. Young Eric was walking through the narrow strip of land that led to his Granny’s house in the woods. Eric was scared and his whole body was trembling out of fear. He never wanted to come to those woods which everyone in his town dreaded to walk through. But he had to go there to rescue his Granny from all the scary things that were happening in that place. The eerie sounds produced by the strange insects in the trees and the blustery weather kept him unwarranted company.

Eric had managed to reach the front gate of his Granny’s house and he was only a couple of meters away from seeing her. But all of a sudden, he heard some voices calling his name. He turned around but there was nobody behind him.

He panicked and started running towards Granny’s house. But before he could knock on her door, something dragged Eric by his feet and took him into the dreaded woods. Eric was never to be found. Whoa. Hahaha.

Luke read the final page of the book and was looking at all the kids sitting in front of him. Everyone was quiet. But he just couldn’t stop laughing.

Mrs. Scott, his English teacher, was standing right behind. She realized that the kids were looking confused and disappointed. She called out Luke. This is exactly why I didn’t want you to sign up for book reading sessions. Mrs. Scott wasn’t happy.

I’m sorry Ma’am. But the kinds of stories that are available here don’t make any sense at all. Luke said as all the fourth graders watched them on with alertness.

Luke! This is no way to talk in front of the class. Besides you were in fourth grade once and enjoyed reading Harry Potter and Narnia. Don’t you remember? said Mrs. Scott

Luke knew there was no use arguing with his teacher so he handed her the book and walked out of the classroom.

He saw Everly in the lobby, exiting one of the classrooms.

Hey Eve! he called out

Hi Luke. How are you doing? Everly’s radiant smile stunned him.

Umm. I’m all right. Luke tried sounding normal to his friend but deep down he was badly crushing on her.

How was your book reading? she asked him

Not that great. I had an argument with Mrs. Scott after my session. Luke said

Oh. Why so? Everly was concerned about him

Well. Mrs. Scott gave me a book to read about a haunted town where school kids are strangely disappearing. Luke said as they reached the main gate of their high school.

I’m so sorry to hear that. Everly started laughing. She knew how much he disliked such stories full of fantasies or horror.

I don’t think I would want to continue this activity. Luke scratched his head.

Everly was taken aback. She looked straight into his eyes and said, Hey don’t give up, at least not after your very first attempt. Everly tried her best to cheer him up.

She knew it had been really hard for her to convince Luke to join the book reading group in the first place and she wasn’t willing to lose another volunteer.

I think you are right. Luke said totally lost in her eyes. Umm. How was your book reading? He asked, breaking away from the awkward eye contact.

It was fun. I started reading Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It’s a fascinating story and the kids were really happy. Everly said as a sweet smile formed on her face, again.

I’m glad to know that you are enjoying your reading sessions. Luke said as he helped Everly drag out her bicycle from the parking area.

Thanks Luke. She said and got on her bike. I’m sure you’ll start enjoying your reading sessions too. Next time just pick out a book of your choice. Everly suggested and left the spot while Luke stood there watching her slowly disappear into the distance.

Where are you lost, Lover boy? Albert teased an inanimate Luke.

Nowhere, Albert. Luke was annoyed at his friend

If I were in your place, I would have told her about my feelings by now. Albert said as Luke sat behind him on his motorcycle.

Thanks for your advice but I don’t want to do anything like that. Luke grew a bit serious.

He knew that Everly and he had been best of friends since kindergarten but he wasn’t sure if she saw him more than a friend. Last thing he wanted was to confess his feelings towards her and make a fool out of himself if she didn’t reciprocate well to them. So, he did what he could do very well, which was to say nothing at all.

Albert dropped Luke off at his house just as always. Bye Buddy. See you tomorrow.

Bye Albert. Luke said and went to his house. He noticed his mom and elder brother Josh were busy watching Supernatural on T.V.

So, he rushed into his bedroom before his mom could ask him about his day and his brother could find a perfect opportunity to tease him for the fact that Mom still treated Luke as her little kid, even though he was in eleventh grade now.

Luke quickly changed up, took his notebook out and started completing his Physics assignment. As it was the only subject that was tasking enough for him to keep his mind off from other things that bothered him including the occasional teasing from his brother, Josh or the never-ending thoughts he had about Everly Brown.

Luke kept writing for two hours. He was exhausted now but extremely proud of himself for finishing his assignment well before the submission date.

He gazed at the clock and realized it was time for the soccer match to start.

Luke ran downstairs and picked his favourite seat in front of the T.V. He switched on the channel and was happy to see his favourite player starting off the game. But Josh got there in no time and crashed on the couch right beside him. He swiftly took the remote control from Luke’s hand and switched the channel to watch another T.V serial.

Gosh bro, can I watch the game for once? Luke cried trying to snatch the remote back from Josh’s hand

Yeah. I want to watch it too. Just a minute. Josh wasn’t letting go of the remote.

Luke realized that there was no point sitting there as Josh kept switching back and forth between both the channels in an attempt to watch the serial as well as the soccer game, every couple of minutes.

Luke was pissed at his brother but he knew that arguing with him would be a total waste of his time as their mother would intervene and nobody would get to watch anything. Josh would be leaving for college anyway. Luke thought he could tolerate Josh for a few more days.

But he still wanted to watch the game. So, he wore his jacket on and decided to head over to his neighbour, Mr. Lawson’s house. But after seeing his door locked, an enraged Luke sprinted off to Albert’s house.

Hey Bud. Albert was more than happy to see his friend. Did Josh kick you out of the house? He giggled.

Not yet. I just left in a dignified manner. Luke smiled

Good for you. Replied Albert as he shut the door

How far have we come? Luke asked, taking his jacket off.

Oh. It’s half time now and we are already leading by four. Albert said as both went upstairs to Albert’s room.

Awesome! Luke quickly settled in front of the T.V.

Luke’s mood changed when he got to watch the remainder of the game which ended with their favourite team, Silver Hawk’s making it to the finals.

Yay! Hawks have done it, again. Luke was overjoyed

I just can’t wait until Thursday to watch the finals. Albert high fived his friend

Me too. And I’ll definitely be here to watch the whole game, well before time. Luke declared

Boys! Get down. Dinner is ready! said Albert’s Mom

They ran downstairs to see Albert’s Mom setting the table.

Thanks Mr. Kirk, but I should get going. I haven’t informed anyone at home before coming here. Luke excused himself and walked up towards the door.

I’ll drop you! Albert said as he rushed after Luke

No need Bud. I’ll walk. Luke winked

Albert realized what was probably going on in Luke’s mind so he just said, Good Luck! and went inside.

Luke had been walking for over ten minutes now. He was getting closer to Everly’s house. With every footstep, he felt a surge of excitement. Luke was hopeful for getting a glimpse of Everly at that moment. It wasn’t the first time that he had taken this longer route homeward, which was merely an excuse for him just to pass by Everly’s house.

Luke was only about a minute away from reaching his target when he heard footsteps of someone walking behind him. Luke noticed that the faster he walked, the faster the footsteps got. He was feeling alarmed now. Luke turned around but to his surprise, the road was empty.

What the hell? he thought as he started walking again. And the footsteps were back. Luke was a bit terrified by now so he decided to keep walking but all of a sudden, he felt someone grabbing his arms from behind shouting, Caught you!

It took Luke only a couple of seconds to recognize it was his mischievous friend giggling away behind him.

Oh! Grow up Rebecca! He let out his frustration

"That’s so rude of you. Why don’t you tell me that you didn’t get scared even if it